How can ant infestation prove to be dangerous for your property?

Ants are usually no more than just a nuisance. You may notice a line of ants marching around the house and scavenging for food from time to time. However trivial as these annoying encounters seem, these can be the symptoms of a potential ant infestation in your house. Therefore, service for ant control in Richmond BC is very crucial when it comes to eliminating them.

Why is ant infestation an issue?

People usually think of ants as harmless insects. They are too small even to bother and don’t carry around any diseases. However, ants can cause serious issues when it comes to the health of your property. Ants operate in the form of colonies, and they can form one right under your floorboard, unbeknownst to you. From there on, they can gradually chip away at the woodwork and electric and cable lines and contaminate food.

Spotting infestation

It is incredibly tricky to know whether an ant colony resides around your house because it may be out of sight. It is best to root out these unwanted visitors before any damage is done. There are a few signs to look out for. If you see any ant piles or ants marching in a line around your property, it can imply an infestation. These trails can lead you to their nest either under the floorboards or buried in the ground concealed by stones or logs.

Significant risks posed by infestation

The signs of an ant infestation are subtle, but the consequences are significant. Ants work day and night to forage food, make colonies and rapidly reproduce. The primary threat any form of ant may cause is damage to the house’s wooden structure. However, pest infestation can be a cause of food contamination and irritation.

Structural Damage

Carpenter ants are the costliest when it comes to damage. Unlike termites that consume the wood’s cellulose, Ants can chew through and excavate any wood beam you may have in your house. These creatures can hollow out and decay the window or door frames and beams supporting the floor.

These ants can further damage the wood and overall structure of the house by making tunnels. Brittle wood foundations and weakened beams can lead to additional damage and physical risks.

Harming electronics

Some ants prefer to colonize pre-existing closed spaces instead of digging out their own. Species like crazy ants can make their way into air conditioning units, electric boxes, appliances, and other closed cavities. These ants can chip away the insulation and get electrocuted, causing short circuits. These infestations can lead to power and cellular outages and malfunctions.

Food contamination

Ants are usually attracted to food and moisture. These pests make nests and colonies around humid and warm places; therefore, kitchens are an ideal gathering spot. Any food left in the open can be a target to the nearby ants. Even though ants are not disease carriers, they can carry bacteria and fungi onto any uneaten and uncovered food around the kitchen.

Allergies and irritation

Ant bites can be painful but, in most cases, harmless. These bites can cause pain and irritation, and if the bite is left unwashed can cause skin infection. However, ants such as fire ants can release venom, which can lead to severe issues and life-threatening in some cases. Some people may also experience an allergic reaction to such bites causing breathing issues and skin problems.

Prevention

In case of an infestation, it is best to consult a pest control service to properly and professionally eradicate the colonies. You can take many steps to prevent any potential trespassing of pests in your home. Cleaning up any leftover crumbs around the house is crucial to avoid ants around your property. You should also cover up and wrap any leftovers. Additionally, fix any water leakages around the house and trim away old trees and bushes around the house.

Wrap Up

Ants may seem nothing more than an inconvenience, but they can signify an ant infestation. They can hollow out and weaken the house’s structure and woodwork, chew through electric and telephone wires and contaminate any leftover food. Moreover, ant bites can be the cause of something small such as pain and irritation, all the way to triggering allergic reactions and venom infections. So, hire pest control services at the earliest and get your home free from ants.